1. Coal Power … How Does it Work?

2. What is Coal and How is it Created? Coal is a “combustible mineral consisting of carbonized vegetable matter, used as a fuel.” Coal is a “combustible mineral consisting of carbonized vegetable matter, used as a fuel.” The energy from coal comes from the breaking of carbon bonds. The energy from coal comes from the breaking of carbon bonds. During the Carboniferous Period, swamps and peat bogs were buried deep below ground. Extreme pressure and temperature exerted on the vegetation within these swamps created peat. Over time peat transforms into lignite. Pressure and high temperature makes lignite into sub-bituminous coal which is converted into bituminous coal or “hard coal.” During the Carboniferous Period, swamps and peat bogs were buried deep below ground. Extreme pressure and temperature exerted on the vegetation within these swamps created peat. Over time peat transforms into lignite. Pressure and high temperature makes lignite into sub-bituminous coal which is converted into bituminous coal or “hard coal.”

3. How is Coal Generated into Electricity? Mining: “opencast mining” or “deep mining,” 67% of USA mining is opencast. Mining: “opencast mining” or “deep mining,” 67% of USA mining is opencast. Pulverization: where coal is ground into a fine powder. Pulverization: where coal is ground into a fine powder. Combustion: in the boiler (furnace), coal is burned to heat water & create steam. Combustion: in the boiler (furnace), coal is burned to heat water & create steam. Turbine: steam is superheated to 1,000 °F (540 °C) and moves through the steam turbine generator where it loses pressure and temperature energy as it turns the interconnected turbines within the generator. Turbine: steam is superheated to 1,000 °F (540 °C) and moves through the steam turbine generator where it loses pressure and temperature energy as it turns the interconnected turbines within the generator. Generator: connected to the shaft of the turbine is a generator which contains miles of copper which is surrounded by magnets. As the turbine spins the copper coils spin and an electric current is created in the copper wires. Generator: connected to the shaft of the turbine is a generator which contains miles of copper which is surrounded by magnets. As the turbine spins the copper coils spin and an electric current is created in the copper wires. Transmission: the electricity travels into the transmission lines and finally to consumers who purchase the electricity. Transmission: the electricity travels into the transmission lines and finally to consumers who purchase the electricity.

4. Coal  Energy

5. The Environmental Effects of Coal Power Air Emissions: Carbon dioxide, sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxides and mercury compounds are all emitted in the production of electricity. Air Emissions: Carbon dioxide, sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxides and mercury compounds are all emitted in the production of electricity. Water Contamination: The water in the power plant is highly polluted and this water is sometimes released back into the environment causing contamination to wildlife habitats. Water Contamination: The water in the power plant is highly polluted and this water is sometimes released back into the environment causing contamination to wildlife habitats. Solid Waste Generation: Ash, which is composed of metal oxides and alkali, is a byproduct of combustion. Usually this harmful byproduct is disposed of in landfills, although some is recycled. Solid Waste Generation: Ash, which is composed of metal oxides and alkali, is a byproduct of combustion. Usually this harmful byproduct is disposed of in landfills, although some is recycled.

6. Coal Mine Hazards Coal mining is dangerous business, with an average of 22 deaths in the United States a year, safety regulations must be improved. Coal mining is dangerous business, with an average of 22 deaths in the United States a year, safety regulations must be improved. http://www.osmre.gov/aml/inven/zimages.htm

7. Mine Safety Paul Rakes, a history professor at West Virginia University said in 1968, "We're going to the moon and we can't make coal mining safer?“ Paul Rakes, a history professor at West Virginia University said in 1968, "We're going to the moon and we can't make coal mining safer?“ Why is this? Read the full article at http://www.pbs.org/newshou r/bb/health/jan- june06/minetown_2-01.html Why is this? Read the full article at http://www.pbs.org/newshou r/bb/health/jan- june06/minetown_2-01.html http://www.pbs.org/newshou r/bb/health/jan- june06/minetown_2-01.html http://www.pbs.org/newshou r/bb/health/jan- june06/minetown_2-01.html

8. False Information In January of 2006, mining families in West Virginia were told that their loved ones were alive after a terrible explosion. In January of 2006, mining families in West Virginia were told that their loved ones were alive after a terrible explosion. This information proved false when it was discovered that only one of the thirteen miners had survived. This information proved false when it was discovered that only one of the thirteen miners had survived. Read the full article at http://www.cnn.com/2006/US/01/04/mine.e xplosion.wed/index.html Read the full article at http://www.cnn.com/2006/US/01/04/mine.e xplosion.wed/index.html http://www.cnn.com/2006/US/01/04/mine.e xplosion.wed/index.html http://www.cnn.com/2006/US/01/04/mine.e xplosion.wed/index.html

9. The Most Deadly Job in China According to the state administration 80% of deaths worldwide as a result of coal mining accidents came from China. According to the state administration 80% of deaths worldwide as a result of coal mining accidents came from China. Read the full article at http://www.chinadaily.com. cn/english/doc/2004- 11/13/content_391242.htm Read the full article at http://www.chinadaily.com. cn/english/doc/2004- 11/13/content_391242.htm http://www.chinadaily.com. cn/english/doc/2004- 11/13/content_391242.htm http://www.chinadaily.com. cn/english/doc/2004- 11/13/content_391242.htm http://english.people.com.cn/200605/21/eng20060521_267423.html

10. Other Activities Involving Coal Power Acid Rain http://peer.tamu.edu/curriculum_modules/Ecosy stems/hazards/acid_rain2.htm Acid Rain http://peer.tamu.edu/curriculum_modules/Ecosy stems/hazards/acid_rain2.htm http://peer.tamu.edu/curriculum_modules/Ecosy stems/hazards/acid_rain2.htm http://peer.tamu.edu/curriculum_modules/Ecosy stems/hazards/acid_rain2.htm Smog http://peer.tamu.edu/curriculum_modules/Ecosy stems/hazards/smog2.htm Smog http://peer.tamu.edu/curriculum_modules/Ecosy stems/hazards/smog2.htm http://peer.tamu.edu/curriculum_modules/Ecosy stems/hazards/smog2.htm http://peer.tamu.edu/curriculum_modules/Ecosy stems/hazards/smog2.htm Environmental Protection http://peer.tamu.edu/curriculum_modules/Ecosy stems/module_4/whyitmatters.htm Environmental Protection http://peer.tamu.edu/curriculum_modules/Ecosy stems/module_4/whyitmatters.htm http://peer.tamu.edu/curriculum_modules/Ecosy stems/module_4/whyitmatters.htm http://peer.tamu.edu/curriculum_modules/Ecosy stems/module_4/whyitmatters.htm Hazards Index http://peer.tamu.edu/curriculum_modules/Hazar ds_index/environmental_hazards_index.htm Hazards Index http://peer.tamu.edu/curriculum_modules/Hazar ds_index/environmental_hazards_index.htm http://peer.tamu.edu/curriculum_modules/Hazar ds_index/environmental_hazards_index.htm http://peer.tamu.edu/curriculum_modules/Hazar ds_index/environmental_hazards_index.htm